http://traffic.libsyn.com/bladelickingthieves/BLT-EP009.mp3

Download Link – Episode 9: The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Subscribe to the Blade Licking Thieves podcast on iTunes!

Drop us an Email.  Find Grant on Twitter.

What We’ve Been Watching (00:00): 

Zyuranger, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Drifters, Yuri on Ice, Izetta, and March Comes in like a Lion.

News (31:14):

Review (54:35)

We discuss Isao Takahata’s absolutely wonderful The Tale of Princess Kaguya.  Released by Studio Ghibli in 2013, the film features utterly unique and spectacular to behold animation by designer Osamu Tanabe, incredible art direction courtesy of Kazuo Oga, and a musical score by legendary composer Joe Hisaishi that’s as majestic as it is mournful.  Thematic depth comes courtesy of Takahata and Riko Sakaguchi’s screenplay, which freshens up this retelling of Japan’s oldest folk tale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, making it feel important and more relevant to modern audiences than ever before.  Of the all the films I watched last year, this was easily my favorite!

Lastly, a small correction: I mentioned in our pre-review how the unorthodox production of My Neighbors the Yamadas led to major dysfunction during the production of Studio Ghibli’s next film — I misspoke; that film was Spirited Away NOT Howl’s Moving Castle. OK, that’s everything.

Enjoy!

If you have questions or comments about the show, please feel free to shoot us an Email or leave a comment below.

Thanks for listening!